Joint for automobile steering devices



HAESQMO Aug. M, 11923.

D. LUMSDEN JOINT FOR AUTOMOBILE STEERING DEVICES Filed April 17. 1922 311 um 1* oz flail/wad L unsafe/2 llll Patented Aug. Ml, N 23 DAVID LUHSDIEN, UT STKESTUN, HTSSQU'RT.

I d'flilldll' TUE AUTOMUETLE STEERING: DEVICES.

Application. filed. April 17, was.

To all whom it may concern:

lle it known that 1, DAVID liu pspmt, a citizen of the United States,r'es1d1n at Sikeston, in .the county of Scott and fetate of llfissouri, have invented certain new and useful improvement in Joints for Automobile Steering Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the connection between the spindle arm and the connecting rod of an automobile steering mechanism and has for its ob ect the provision of a simple, inexpensive and eihcient device whereby a joint will be, provided which will withstand long-continued service or rough usage without becoming loose and by which rattling 'will be avoided and the steering wheels maintained in alinement. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawingsand will be hereinafter fully set forth.

Tn the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective View of one side of an automobile steering mechanism showing my improved joint applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the yoint.

Tn the drawings, the reference numeral 1 indicates the front or steering axle of an automobile, 2 denotes the wheel-carrying spindle and 3 the spindle arm projecting rearwardly therefrom, the spindle arm being constructed with the usual eye 4: at its rear end. Tn carrying out my invention, ll employ a head 5 which comprises a circular cup-lire body 6 and a split socket on sleeve 3' projecting radially from the body 6. as shown. The socket 7 is internally threaded to be en aged by the threaded end of the connecting rod 8 and is secured firmly to said rod by a bolt or similar device 9 inserted through the depending lugs or cars 10 ot the socket. Within the cup-like body 6, ll tightly lit a raceway 11 containing bearing balls 12 which may be held in the raceway by retainers, as is a common practice in the construction of anti-friction bearings. The said raceway 11 is provided centrally with an opening 13 adapted to register with an openin it in the bottom of the body 6, and a bolt l5 is inserted downwardly through the said openings and through the eye 4, as clearly shown, the bolt having a threaded extremity 17 which receives a nut i 18 adapted to be turned home against the lower side of the eye. Below the head 19 of Serial Ho. 553,757.

the bolt, a cone 20 i fitted thereon and this cone bears upon the balls 12, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. Rising centrally from the head 19 is a stud 21 which serves as a centering pin for a coiled spring 22 which seat on a flanged washer 27 resting upon the head 19, the spring being held in proper position and tension by a cap 23 having a seat 24- at its upper end to receive the upper extremity of the spring, a Washer 28 being fitted within the seat, as shown-and aswill be readily understood. Between the cone 20 and the bottom of the raceway 11, washers or collars are arranged around the bolt, the number or thickness of the washers being such as will allow only a slight clearance between the bottom ot the cup 6 and the top of the spindle arm. The cap .23 is internally threaded at its lower end, as

indicated at 26, so as to engage over the externally threaded upper ertremit of the cup-like body 6 whereby the cap wil e held 1n place, anda non-liquid lubricant may be placed in the cup so as to lubricate the hearing and thereby insure easy movement in the oint.

Tn the use of certain types of light motor vehicles, the joint between the spindle arm, and the connecting rod of the steering mechanism frequently becomes loose owing to the wear between the relatively moving parts, and the occupants of the vehicles are annoyed by the constant rattling sound which results. The loose joints also permit the steering wheels to get out, of alinement so that steering is ditlicult and the comfort of the occupants of the vehicle is disturbed. By the use of my improved device, sand, dust, and other foreign substances are edectually excludedfrom the joint, and the provision ot the antitriction bearing with constant lubrication minimizes wear so as to practically eliminate the same. The spring 22 exerts a constant yieldin force upon the bearin which automatica ly compensates for ordinary wear, prevents the rattling, and maintains the steering wheels in alinement inasmuch as the very slight play which may possibly develop in the joint is automatically taken up. The device is very simple and may be readily applied to any vehicle now in use at a slight expense and, when in position, will not add any appreciable dead weight to the vehicle. The cap protects the lubricant and the bearing against the entrance of dust or dirt which would lltl being closely titted with the bolt and accumulate thereon and clog the notion, tl e only opening being on the under side and Wnshers While the very slight clearance around the Washers is tilled with o non-liquid luhricant. The bolt 15, of course, serves as the pivot about which the relative movement between the connecting rod end the spindle arm will occur and binding ot these ports in changing the course of the steering Wheels is avoided.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. The combination With a spindle arm, and o connecting rod of n steering inechenisni, of a cup secured on the end or the connecting rod with its bottom parallel with the horizontal plane of the axis of the rod, a hearing fitted in said cup on the bottom thereof, :1 pivot holt inserted vertically through said hearing and secured in the end of the spindle urin below the cup, at yieldzible pressure device hearing at its lower end upon the said pivot holt, and o, reteining esp secured upon the cup and senting the upper end of the pressure device,

52. 'lhe combination with e. spindle err and n. connecting rod of n steering nieohnnisrn, 0t n cup secured on the end of the connecting rod and disposed shore the end of the spindle orrn a hearing ineinher seenred in said cup, at pivot- UOltinserted through said hearing member, the bottom of the cup and the end of the spindle nrnr, e concting hearing nieinloer carried by the. liolt Within the cup, :1 nut on the lower ene ot the bolt hearing against tl e end of th spindle arm and adapted when turned horn to secure the holt in the spindle orrn and the hearing members in engagement, a coiled spring resting on the head of the bolt, it Cop secured on the cup and housing; said spring and provided With n sent all its upper end receiving the upper end of the sgring,

In testimony Whereo'i l ollin my signature.

Dell/ll) LUltlSDEli. [1,. s] 

